Roof bracket for television antennas



Oct, 16, 1956 c, A. WEBSTER ET AL 2,767,240

Row BRACKET FOR TLEvIsIoN ANTENNAS Filed July 12, 1955 CECHL A- WEBSTEF.

ATTOENYS United Statesg Patent O ROOF BRACKET FOR TELEVISION ANTENNAS Cecil A. Webster, Evausville, and William 0. Wehster, Casper, Wyo.

Application July 12, 1955, Serial No. 521,452

6 Claims. (Cl. 1714-78) This invention relates to a bracket mountable upon a roof for the purpose of supporting, in an erect position upon the roof, a conventional television antenna mast.

Heretofore, it has been lthe general practice to extend lead-in and ground wires from a roof-supported television antenna, over the ou-ter surface of the roof to one edge thereof, after which said wires are extended downwardly along the side of the structure on which the mast is supported, with the ground wire being then extended to a suitable ground, and the lead-in cable being extended into the structure to the television reeeiver.

This results in a somewhat unsightly arrangement, in view of the fact that the lead-in and ground wires are often visible throughout the greatest parts of their lengths. Further, in some instances the exteriorly disposed wires tear loose from their stand-off insulators, and vibrate in the Wind or slap against 'the roof or side of the building thereby interfering with a good reception.

Still further, the conventional antenna mounting method involves the use of an excessive length of ground and lead-in cable, in many instances, since the cables must be extended first to an edge of the roof, usually from a centrally disposed portion of the roof, then down the side of the structure, and then back into said structure.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a generally improved antenna mount which will not have the deficiencies noted above. To this end, the roof bracket or antenna mount constituting the invention is so designed as to not only provide a support for the mast, but also, in close proximity to the mast, a conduit for the lead-in extending directly through the roof into the building. Further, the bracket is so designed as to provide, inside the building, a ground wire terminal which itself serves as one of the connecting bolts used to secure the bracket upon the roof.

Another object of importance is to provide a bracket as described which will be particularly charaoterized by its simplicity, thus reducing the cost of the bracket to a relatively low figure.

Still another object is to so design the bracket as to facilitate its connection to 'the roof with minimum difiiculty and in a very short period of time.

Yet another object is to so form the bracket as to provide a firm support for the antenna mast which, When used in conjunction with the conventional guy wires employed in holding the mast direct, will so support the mast as to insure against its being blown over.

Other objects will appear from the following description, the claims appended thereto, and from the annexed drawing, in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the ridge of a house roof with the television antenna roof bracket embodying this invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional View taken substantially along line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a Vertical cross sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken through one portion of a house roof with a modified form of the invention applied thereto, with parts of the bracket being broken away for purposes of illustration;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a cross sectional View taken in a vertical plane through a flat type roof, the roof being shown fragmentarily, with a still further modified form of the invention, with parts thereof broken away, shown as secured to the roof.

With continued reference to the drawings, and particularly to the form of the invention shown in Figures l, 2 and 3, there is illustrated a portion of the pitched roof 10 of a house.

The bracket constituting the present invention includes a base plate 12 which is of semi-V-shape in cross section, so as to complement the ridge portion of the roof, thereby to permit the base plate to be mounted directly on the ridge of the roof in straddling relation thereto.

The base plate 12, as shown in Figure 1, is of rectangular outer configuration and has openings transversely therethrough adjacent each of the corners for receiving bolts 14 therethrough, which bolts pass through suitably formed openings in the roof 12 to secure the base plate on the roof. Before the base plate 12 is secured in place, there is applied to the underside thereof, or to the roof surface, a suitable sealing compound 16 to prevent leakage through the openings formed in the roof.

The base plate 12, at the ridge or peak thereof, and adjacent one end, has an opening 13 transversely therethrough registering With an opening 20 formed in the roof, through the ridge thereof. A length of pipe forming a wire conduit 22 is extended through the registering openings. The lower end of the conduit projects downwardly within the interior of the structure to a substantial extent, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, while the upper end of the conduit Projects above the base plate in a similar manner.

The upper end of the conduit 22 is exteriorly threaded as at 24, for connection thereto of the complernentarily threaded weather cap 26 having an insulating element 27 across the open end 28 thereof.

A lead-in cable 28 extends through the conduit 22 and outwardly through the weather cap and insulating element. The conduit 22 may be secured to the base plate 12 as by being welded thereto as indicated at 30. Secured to the upper surface of the base plate 12 along the ridge thereof and adjacent the end of the plate remote from the end to which the conduit 22 is secured, there is welded at its lower end, as at 32, an upstanding, cylindrical mast socket 34 open at its upper end to receive therein the lower end of a conventional television mast 36, of a diameter somewhat less than the inside diameter of the socket so as to be centered therein. The mast is securely held in the socket by a pair of spaced set screws 38 and 40. A drain opening 42 is provided transversely through the lower end of the socket 34 to permit accurnulation of moisture to drain therefrom.

The lead-in cable 28 extending from the upper end of the mast 36 is secured to the mast by suitable stand-off insulators, such as the insulator 44, and extends through the insulating element 27 into the cap 26 and then through the conduit 28 and downwardly into the building structure to be placed in engagement with a suitable receiver.

A ground wre terminal, indicated at 46, is carried by one of the bolts 14 inside the building structure. This permits a ground wire 48 to be connected to the terminal and extended within the building structure instead of over the roof and down the side of the building.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the bracket can be manufactured as a unitary assembly, and sWiftly' mounted.

Although not shown, the mast could be firmly supported in its erected position by guy wires cooperating with the socket to hold the mast secured against the elements.

In the modified form of the bracket shown in Figures 4 and 5, the bracket is adapted for use as a side roof mount rather than as a ridgeV mount. InV this form of the invention, a base plate 12' is formed as a flat, rectangular piece of material, instead of it being formed to the V-shape of the ridge mount bracket shown in Figures. 1 to 3. Adjaeent each corner of the base plate 12' there is provided transver'sely therethrough openings for receivingrconnecting bolts M' with sealing compound 16' etween the plate and 'the inclined side portion 15)' to prevent leakage through the roof. An opening is formed in the base plate centrally intermediate the side thereof and adjacent one end and drilled oblique to the plane of the base. Mounted in this opening is a conduit 22', similar to the conduit 22, having its upper end externally threaded and its lower end disposed Within the structure, with the longitudinal axis of the conduit 22' disposed in a Vertical plane. The Weather cap may be i threadedly secured upon the upper end of the conduit 22. The Weather cap may be similar to the weather cap 26 as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

A ground Wire terminal 46' is connected to one of the bolts 14' within the building structure so that one end of the ground Wire 48' may be connected thereto.

The mast socket in this form of the invention has been designated 5d and is secured to a support, angle bracket 52, as by being Welded thereto with the lower open end of the socket being spaced above the base plate 12 and the upper end of the socket being open to receive therein a television antenna mast. The angle bracket 52 has one leg 54 thereof secured upon the upper surface of the base plate 12' centrally intermediate its sides and at the end thereof remote from the end adjacent to which the conduit 22 is mounted, and the other leg 56 extends upwardly therefrorn in acute angular relation thereto so as to be disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe conduit 22 to thereby mount the socket St) in a Vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the conduit 22'. Also, it will be noted, from a study of Figure 5, that the longitudinal axes of the socket 50 and conduit 22' are in longitudinal alignment With respect to the center line extending longitudinally of the base plate 12'.

A cross pin 58 extends dianietrically through the interior of the hollow socket 5G adjacent its lower end to provide a support for the antenna mast received within the open upper end of the socket. A pair of vertically aligned, spaced set screws 38' and 40' extends through suitably threaded openings transversely through the side Wall of the socket 50 to engage the antenna mast received Within the socket and prevent the mast from turning as Well as securing the mast Within the socket.

The lead-in Wire or cable Will be employed in the same manner as described in connection With the form of the invention of Figures 1, 2 and 3.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 6, the bracket is adapted for connection to a fiat roof 143, this bracket comprisesV a fiat generally rectangular base plate 12" mounted upon the roof by connecting bolts 14" which pass through suitably formed registering openings adjacent the corners of the base plate and through the roof.

A conduit 22", for the reception Vtherein of a lead-in Wire or cable, extends'through a suitably formed opening adjacent one end of the base plate and a registered opening through the roof so as to extend both above and below the roof. As in the other forms of the invention, a Weather cap may be provided at the upper end of the conduit 22.

The conduit 22" is secured to the base plate 12" as by welding 32".

Welded to the base plate as at 32 is the lower end of an upstanding, hollow tubular socket 34" in spaced, preferably aligned, relation to the conduit 22" and parallel thereto. The open upper end of the socket 34" is adapted to receive therein the lower end of an antenna mast, which mast is secured therein by a pair of spaced, Vertically aligned set screws 38" and 40", and the set screws also serve to prevent the antenna mast from turning in the socket. A ground terminal 46" is connected to one of the bolts 14", inside the building structure, to permit the connection of a ground Wire 48" thereto.

The lead-in Wire or cable from the mast will extend through the conduit 22" and downwardly therethrough into the interior of the building structure to be attached at its other end to a suitable receiver Within the building structure.

In all forms of the invention, there is the common characteristic Wherein the unitary assembly can be secured to the roof in such position as to provide a conduit extending directly through the roof, With the conduit having openings at its opposite ends receiving the lead-in cable, for extension of the cable directly through the conduit into the structure. Further, in all forms of the invention, the conduit is disposed in close proximity to the mast socket so as to eliminate the extension of the lead-in cable away from the mast after the cable has been extended to the base of the mast.

Also, it may be noted in the form` of the invention shown in Figure 6, there is provided in the mast socket 34" a drain opening 42" adjacent the lower end of the socket, for obvious reasons.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to the specific use or uses thereof described above, since it may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention to be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated and described, since such construction is only intended to be illustrative of the principles of operation and the means presently devised to carry out said principles, it being considered that the invention comprehends any minor change in construction that may be permitted Within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A bracket for mounting, upon the roof of a structure, a television antenna including a mast, antenna leadin, and ground Wire, comprising: a base plate adapted to be supported upon a roof in contact therewith; connecting bolts extending through said base plate, said bolts being adapted for extension through the roof; a conduit vertically mounted on said base plate and extending therethrough to have its lower end projecting below the base plate for extension through` the roofinto the building structure and its upper end projecting above the base plate, said conduit being open at its respective ends; a television antenna mast socket mounted on said base plate adjacent the conduit, said socket being adapted for mounting of an antenna mast therein, the lower opening of said conduit being adapted for extension of said lead-in directly into the building structure; and means on the socket for fixedly securing said mast in position in the socket, one of said bolts including means to connect said ground Wire thereto.

2. A roof bracket for a television antenna including a mast, a lead-in, and a ground Wire, a bracket for supporting said antenna upon the roof of a building structure, comprising: a base plate having spaced openings transversely therethrough, said base plate being adapted to be supported directly upon the surface of said roof; connecting bolts extending through said spaced openings and adapted to project through the roof to the interior of said building structure; a ground Wire terminal on one of said connecting bolts adapted for connection of said ground Wire thereto interiorly of the building; a conduit vertically inounted on said plate and extending therethrough to have one end projecting above the base plate and its other end extending below the base plate so as to project interiorly of said structure, the ends of the conduit being open for extension of a lead-in therethrough interiorly of the conduit into the building structure; a mast socket mounted upon said base plate and extending upwardly therefrom in close proxirnity to the conduit, said socket being adapted for mounting of said mast therein; and means carried by the socket for securing the Within the socket.

3. A roof bracket for a television antenna including a mast, a lead-in, and a ground Wire, a bracket for supporting said antenna upon the roof of a building structure, comprising: a base plate of rectangular outer configuration having corner openings, said base plate being adapted to be supported directly upon the surface of said roof; connecting bolts extending through said corner openings and adapted to project through the roof to the interior of said building structure; a ground Wire termin?` on one of said connecting bolts adapted for connection of said ground Wire thereto interiorly of the building; a conduit vertically mounted on said plate and extending therethrough to have one end projecting above the plate and its other end extending below the plate so as to project interiorly of said structure, the ends of the conduit being open for extension of a lead-in therethrough interiorly of the conduit into the building structure; a mast socket carried upon said base plate and extending upwardly therefrom in close proxirnity to the conduit, said socket being adapted for mounting of said mast therein; and means carried by the socket for supporting the mast fixedly Within the socket, said means comprising a pair of set screws extending through the Wall of the socket in vertically spaced relation, and a cross pin extending Within the socket for supporting the lower end of said mast, said set screws being threadable into engagement With adjacent portions of the side surface of the mast.

4. A roof bracket for a television antenna including a mast, a lead-in, and a ground Wire, a bracket for supporting said antenna upon the roof of a building structure, comprising: a base plate of rectangular outer configuration having openings transversely therethrough adjacent the corners thereof; connecting bolts extending throughL said openings and adapted to project through the roof to the interior of said building structure to secure said base plate directly upon the roof surface; a ground Wire terminal on one of said connecting bolts adapted for connection of said ground Wire thereto interiorly of the building; a conduit vertically mounted on said plate and extending therethrough to have one end projecting above the plate and its other end extending below the plate so as to project interiorly of said structure, the ends of the conduit being open for extension of a lead-in therethrough interiorly of the conduit into the building structure; a

mast socket fixedly mounted upon said plate and extending upWardly therefrom in close proxiinity to the conduit, said socket being adapted for mounting of said mast therein; and means carried by the socket for securing the mast fixedly Within the socket, said base plate being of V-shape in cross section, so as to complernent and straddle the ridge portion of said roof, the conduit extending through the apex area of said base plate.

5. A roof bracket for a television antenna including a mast, a lead-in, and a ground Wire, a bracket for supporting said antenna upon the roof of a building structure, comprising: a base plate having spaced openings transversely therethrough, said base plate being adapted to be supported directly upon the surface of said roof; eonnecting bolts extending through said spaced openings and adapted to project through the roof to the interior of said building structure; a ground Wire terminal on one of said connecting bolts adapted for connection of said ground Wire thereto interiorly of the building; a conduit vertically rnounted on said plate and extending therethrough to have one end projecting above the plate and its other end extending below the plate so as to project interiorly of said structure, the ends of the conduit being open for extension of a lead-in therethrough interiorly of the conduit into the building structure; a mast socket fixedly mounted upon said plate and extending upwardly therefrom in close proxirnity to the conduit, said socket being adapted for mounting of said mast therein; and means carried by the soc (et for securing the mast Within the socket, said base plate being of planiform formation, the mast socket and conduit being extended in parallel relation and in perpendicular relation to the plane of the base plate.

6. A roof bracket for a television antenna including a mast, a lead-in, and a ground Wire, a bracket for supporting said antenna upon the roof of a building structure, comprising: a base plate having spaced openings, said base plate being adapted to be supported directly upon the surface of said roof; connecting bolts extending through said openings and adapted to project through the roof to the interior of said building structure; a ground Wire terminal on one of said connecting bolts adapted for connection of said ground Wire thereto interiorly of the building; a conduit vertically mounted in said plate, the conduit having one end projecting above the plate and its other end extending below the plate so as to project interiorly of said structure, the ends of the conduit being open for extension of a lead-in therethrough interiorly of the conduit into the building structure; a mast socket fixedly mounted upon said plate and extending upwardly therefroin in close proxirnity to the conduit, said socket being adapted for mounting of said mast therein; and means carried by the socket for securing the mast Within the socket, said base plate being of planiforrn formation, the mast socket and conduit being extended in perpendicular relation to the plane of the base plate.

No references cited. 

